Tereva David passing on years of knowledge to Shino Matsuda. Photo: Diego Weisz //ISA
For Tereva David, growing up on an island like Tahiti taught him a few things about surfing. He cut his teeth on one of the heaviest waves in the world: Teahupo’o.
At 34 years old, his competitive career is starting to wind down, but you can still count on finding him inside a Teahupo’o pit any time there’s swell running at the “End of the Road.” His expertise at one of the most dangerous and technical waves in the world has created a niche for his services. Olympic surfers want him as their coach for Paris 2024. David was selected as the coach of the ISA’s Teahupo’o training program for provisionally qualified and aspiring Olympians, CT surfers are using his services, and national federations are privately hiring him to train their athletes.
The 2024 Olympics coming to David’s backyard has created a unique opportunity. The value of David’s local knowledge is at a premium for surfer’s who want gold at next summer’s Games. I called the Teahupo’o master to understand what it’s like to suddenly become a key figure in the lead up to the Olympic Games, and to glean a bit of the advice that he has been giving to the athletes he trains.
How did you get involved in surf coaching for the Olympics?
I started coaching in 2013 in Tahiti, especially at Teahupo’o. I think I got involved in surf coaching for the Olympics because there are not a lot of coaches in Teahupo’o and in Tahiti in general. I was lucky enough to coach Courtney Conlogue for the return of the women’s CT at Teahupo’o and witnessed an inspiring performance making history for the sport of surfing. I think that’s how people began to see me as a “real” coach and understand the importance of local knowledge out there. For some of the surfing world that follows me on my social media, all my friends surfing from around the world, they find me in Teahupo’o a lot doing surf camps for the teenagers from Tahiti and overseas. Luckily, my passion for surfing has become my real work, my real office.
Which countries or athletes have asked you to coach them for Paris 2024?
There are a lot of countries reaching out to me. It’s hard for me because I want to help everybody and sharing is part of my culture. For now I can’t say which country or who I am going to coach, but it’s a real honor to be able to help surfers around the world. I am learning so much everyday out there as a coach and as a surfer.
How does it feel to have become such an integral part of the training for Paris 2024?
I’m really grateful to be able to guide and coach, especially at this special wave, it’s such a powerful wave with a lot of “Mana.”
Mr. David can talk the talk because he’s walked the walk, many times over. Photo: Keanu Moux
How does it feel to have the Olympics come to your backyard at Teahupo’o? What was your initial reaction when you heard the news?
My initial reaction was happiness because I thought about how the best surfers in the world would be able to surf Teahupo’o, the real Teahupo’o. But after reflection I don’t know if it’s a good idea for the environment. We don’t want our paradise to be broken with huge construction projects. We want to leave the same paradise, the same chance we have now, for the kids because they are the future.
What type of tips are you giving the surfers you train at Teahupo’o?
How to avoid the impact zone, how to go in the lagoon and come back, how to take off on a radical wave, how to grab the rail, how to pump in the barrel, how to find the best line, and how to adapt their surfing to get the job done naturally. At Teahupo’o the best tip is probably to never rush, but to always be ready to turn your commitment mode 100 percent ON.
Which surfers have you seen really excel at these training sessions?
I think every surfer who has come to train at Teahupo’o improves a lot, day after day, session after session, wave after wave. It’s crazy how fast you improve when you really want it. I like how Alan Cleland approaches this wave, also Brian Perez, Cody Young, Lucca Mesinas, Shino Matsuda, Leilani McGonagle, Sanoa Olin, etc… Everyone got the Teahupo’o experience, probably the best experience ever.
What is the biggest challenge of training athletes to surf Teahupo’o?
It’s the most, or one of the most, dangerous waves on Earth. It’s also one of the best surf spots in the world. This wave is no joke. She will put you back to your place real quick and really shows you who is the boss, Mother Nature. For me as a coach it’s not that easy because I know they have to take a lot of risks to improve, to be more at ease in the spot. There is no secret. That’s why I give them all the information they need to know to stay safe (avoid the impact zone, go in the lagoon, how to jump on the sled for the rescue). I have a big responsibility, but for me, when they get the best barrel of their lives, it’s all worth it!
Who are your picks to win gold at Paris 2024?
For sure our two local surfers, Kauli Vaast for men and Vahine Fierro for women.
